{"id":9973,"date":"2022-04-06T11:00:06","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T09:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=1537"},"modified":"2022-04-06T11:16:11","modified_gmt":"2022-04-06T09:16:11","slug":"the-top-9-arboretums-to-visit-in-spring-2022","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/the-top-9-arboretums-to-visit-in-spring-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"The top 9 arboretums to visit in spring 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Joe Feehily\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 06 April 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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As lockdown restrictions ease in Britain, we can\u2019t wait to pack a picnic<\/a> and head out into the spring sunshine for a socially-distanced walk around a local\u00a0arboretum.<\/p>\n

Characterised by a selection of trees planted en masse, most arboretums have plenty of sun-dappled spots which are perfect for an al-fresco lunch while catching up with friends and family. Read on for our edit of the best arboretums around the UK\u2026<\/p>\n

The history of arboretums<\/h2>\n

The concept of an arboretum dates back to the Egyptians, who endeavoured to transplant groups of foreign trees together to create exotic collections in honour of the Pharaohs.<\/p>\n

However, it was the ingenuity and ambition of the Victorians that led to the term arboretum being used to describe a collection of trees. The renowned Scottish botanist, garden designer and writer, John Claudius Loudon, (1783\u20131843), first coined the phrase in 1833 in his magazine publication The Gardener\u2019s Magazine<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Inspired by the influx of plant introductions of the day, Loudon\u2019s style was to display individual plants as specimens and he grouped and labelled trees in informal groves, allowing them to develop their natural form.<\/p>\n

One of his most influential and important commissions came from the Liberal industrialist Joseph Strutt, who approached Loudon to create a pleasure ground for his workforce.<\/p>\n

The result was Derby Arboretum, Britain\u2019s first public park, which opened in 1840. It featured planted labelled tree specimens (as well as opportunities for leisure, education and moral improvement) and became the prototype for public parks throughout the world.<\/p>\n

9 of the best arboetums to visit<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Bedgebury National Pinetum<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Bedgebury<\/a> is a recreational and conservational arboretum, totalling over 12,000 trees and shrubs, many of which are rare and endangered. It contains some of the oldest and largest examples of conifers in Britain and is recognised as the most complete collection of conifers in any one place in the world.<\/p>\n

Originated by Kew botanist William Dallimore<\/a> in the 1920s, the 320-acre site was chosen over Kew Gardens (which suffered from smog and air pollution), for its marshy land and drier ridges, which better suited conifers. Largely evergreen, there are some interesting deciduous species, such as larch, that turn a vivid yellow.<\/p>\n

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Derby Arboretum Park<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Derby Arboretum Park<\/a> was created by John Claudius Loudon<\/a> at the request of local cotton mill owner Joseph Strutt<\/a>. It was given to the city of Derby in 1840 to provide an area for \u2018exercise and recreation in the fresh air\u2019 at a time when industry dominated \u2013 and polluted \u2013 towns and cities, and \u2018to offer the means of instruction to visitors\u2019 with the labelled collection of trees and shrubs.<\/p>\n

Today, the arboretum is Grade II-listed and maintains the same philosophy that was shared by Loudon and Strutt. While some of the original specimens have not survived, highlights include the red oak, introduced from America, the Indian bean tree and the silver pendant lime.<\/p>\n

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